Two Wieners are Better than One

Introducing the newest member of our family... Eleanor! Winston has met a few puppies in our complex who outgrow him in a matter of weeks, so we wanted someone his size to keep him company. We started casually looking for another dachshund about a week ago, not expecting to find one for a while. Then Eleanor popped up on Tuesday, and we immediately fell in love! We drove out to meet her in Victorville that night (quite a drive from LA on a work night), and just knew she was ours. The two of them are as cute as can be, and Winston has really taken to his new role as a big brother - he brings Ellie her toys, calms her down when she is afraid, and keeps her nice and clean with puppy kisses!

Suffice to say I am IN LOVE and could not be happier to have these two pups in my life.

Also, since people who don't watch HIMYM still exist, I guess I should explain that the title of this post refers to my new life theme song, which is just me changing the words to a Robin Sparkles & Jessica Glitter classic about two beavers.

They're twice the fun, ask anyone! Have a great day, friends.

♥ Amanda

Currently...

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I am getting over a kidney infection, which is not pleasant and kept me on the couch for most of Friday-Sunday. I emerged from my cocoon of coziness to go olive oil tasting on Saturday morning with Trevor and our friends Terri and Domenic, and we had an absolute blast! They have a dachshund too, so it was mega cuteness overload.

I mean... is there anything cuter?

Watching: Parks & Recreation! I finally got Trevor hooked, and we are currently in the middle of season 4. I couldn't love this show more. If you don't watch it, start now! It is on Netflix and Hulu so there are really no excuses. In case you need further convincing, here are some Parks & Rec gifs for your viewing pleasure:

Leslie Knope, my spirit animal.

Reading: Silver Linings Playbook. The same book I was reading last time I did a Currently post... In my defense, I have been reading it on my Nook and misplaced my charger during the move so I had an unintended month-long reading hiatus! I am really loving the book, and have even been squeezing in a few chapters on my lunch breaks. I can't wait to see the movie when it comes out on DVD!

Looking forward to: Visiting Lauryn in San Diego this weekend! We have already planned out our meals (duh), and I can't wait to visit some of my old hangouts. San Diego was my home for almost 5 years and will always hold a special place in my heart. Lauryn holds an even bigger and more special place, so my heart is in for a warm and fuzzy weekend.

Making me happy: Going home to Trevor and Winston every night in our cozy-cute apartment. While I was cooped up this weekend I spent some time decorating and making it more of a home, and I think we are almost done! It is so satisfying to watch our little "nest" take shape.

Thinking about: Nicole's amazing followers! Welcome, Treasure Tromp readers! If you haven't already, check out Nicole's blog (button also in the sidebar). Her sponsors, including myself, have put together an awesome giveaway for you guys - check it out! There is still time to enter :)

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♥ Amanda

Wardrobe Rehab

One thing you should know about me (that is immediately apparent if/when we meet in real life) is that I have not grown since I was 12. That's right, I have officially been done growing for 50% of my life - a 5 foot 24 year-old. This fact paired with my tendency toward nostalgia and over-sentimentalizing EVERYTHING has led to a borderline hoarder situation in my closet. You see, when you don’t grow out of things, it is very hard to get rid of them.

It turns out that moving into our teeny tiny 500-something-square-foot-apartment was just the kick in the pants I needed. I have been spoiled with large closet space in almost every apartment I’ve lived in, so having one closet for two people and no extra storage has forced me to really pare down what is in there. To date I have donated 5 trash bags and one large plastic tub FULL of clothes, along with various household items and bulky furniture. It feels SO GOOD! I love opening my closet and seeing things that I actually want to wear without having to shuffle past my high school cheer jacket and that “awesome tie dye shirt” I made in middle school.

Sidenote: I donated these bags to a friend who helps needy women/children in Orange County, and I have had to drive around with all of the bags in my car all week before I can get down there. Although Trevor has assured me that this is not the case, I am 100% certain that I look like this cruising around LA with a car full of trash bags. *facepalm*

To ensure that these wardrobe cleansing habits do not devolve back to hoarding, I even wrote a little manifesto of sorts on our mirror inspired by Liz: “The Never-Ending Edit! Don’t feel awesome? DONATE IT.” 

I have seen lots of inspiring posts in the blog world about paring down to essentials, and would love any tips you have! Cheers to simplicity! 

♥ Amanda

LA Life Lately via Instagram

How is it almost May already?! Our (almost) 2 months as LA residents has been quite the whirlwind, full of new jobs, trips to Ikea, Coachella, lots of unpacking, and FAR too much laundry. Honestly, why is laundry the worst chore of all? I would take cleaning toilets over folding clothes ANY day (Lucky for me, Trevor thinks this is a fair trade).

LA is quite entertaining, from the weird homeless man who asked if he could eat Winston, to the strange courtship I witnessed between a straight man and transgendered woman at a Starbucks. This city truly takes all kinds! I am thinking of starting a segment on here to document all of my encounters called "Hollyweirdos," now if only I could get my act together and post more often. It seems that working in online marketing all day makes me dread the thought of getting back on the computer once I get home!

To fill you in on some of my adventures since the big move, here are some photos from Instagram:


We have been taking Winston all over LA, and he is quite the local celeb! He is best friends with another dachshund named Alby who hangs out at a bus tour kiosk by our house, and my heart almost exploded due to cuteness when he met a fawn frenchie (adorbs!)


We love weekend dates to Granville (left), and my lady love BFF Lauryn came to visit! We took full advantage of 2 for 1 margs at Cabo Cantina (and caught Winston trying to sneak a sip).


Runyon Canyon is a quick walk from our house and the views are incredible. Plus it's dog-friendly! We explored a great area of Glendale this past weekend.

ALSO, I finally got with the program and added a Bloglovin' button to my sidebar! I migrated the blogs I follow weeks ago, failing to realize that other people need to do the same... whoops. I hope you have all found fab replacements for GFC :)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

♥ Amanda

Dear Friday...

photo of the LA skyline(s) from our weekend hike up Runyon Canyon

Dear moving, you took up my entire March, but I have now conquered you [for the most part] and would like to get my life back. Also, remind me to just hire movers next time. 

Dear Winston, you are actually the cutest and I love watching you play as I type this! Quality mama/pup time right here, you guys.

Dear Los Angeles, we are having a blast exploring you and making this city our home! 

Dear Los Angeles friends/inhabitants, do you have any suggestions of places to check out? Some things I like: hikes with a manageable incline, neat places to eat brunch [and drink mimosas], all genres of live music, and anything that is free. Any and all ideas would be much appreciated!

Dear Coachella, I am still shocked that it is already almost mid-April, but I am so excited to get all up in you next weekend. I am even more excited to spend some quality time jamming and dancing with my sweet sweet Lauryn.

I hope you all are having a great Friday so far! I just finished my first week at my new job and I am pretty pumped to relax at home this weekend and finish unpacking our last few boxes. Here's to hoping my Nook charger turns up, so I can keep reading Silver Linings! Loving it so far!

Linked up with Friday's Letters, Find & Follow, Free For All, and High Five for Friday!

♥ Amanda